The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-30

smile. 81 certainly am nervous from
overstudy, 1 suppose, or 1 shouldn't
be in such frame of mind. Blanche
you don't know what it is to feel that
you are so disliked that your school,
mates are all watching eagerly to see
you fail, and if you do. they rejoice.
If l could only forget Them"
Toward night the graduating class
appeared, dazzling in their embroi-
dered muslines and grenadines, made
in the most fashionable manner.
"How do you like my dress? Oh,
it's perfectly lovely! What stylish
fit! How beautifully your hair is
dressed ! What exquisite flowers ~
were whispers heard on every side.
Carrying her head very high. a hot
flush on her cheeks, Alga entered the
room. She did not know that her
coarse. plain muslin fitted her per-
fectly, and in the absence of all trim
ming showed off the lines of her fine
figure to the utmost advantage.
She seemed taller and finer for the
classic simplicity, 1t suited her style,
and with pang Edith Linton recog-
nized the fact. But she did her ma
licious best. She threw as much con-
tempt in her glance at the despised
muslin as her eyes could express, and
gathered up her costly lace founces
as if she was afraid the muslin might
touch them.
"Where on earth Is Blanch ?" she
cried. affectedly. "Oh, girls, pm
just dying to see that lovely dress she
received from Paris. It's an elegant
costume, gloves, fan, shoes to match.
Here she comes now. .Oh, good
gracious !"
This exclamation drew all eyes to
Blanch. Where was the magnificent
toilette? A plain white muslin made
very much like Alga's, neither foun-
ces. ribbons, laces, nor even breast
pin, but a white rose at her neck
standing in lieu of one.
Its Cinderella reversed, isn't 1t,
girls" she said smiling. 81 was so
disgusted with my f1nery, L wanted
a change. and L thought Alga's dress
looked 80 nice. But I'ye surprised
her as much as anybody. I see."
crossing oyer to Alga and taking her
hand. II only wish 1 looked half as
we'll as you do, my DEAR" she said,
looking at her with frank admiration
"We're such plain birds we shall, I
think, be abliged to keep together to.
night, and Pm glad of it,"
1t was as much as Alga could do to
keep from bursting into tears.
81 know what you've done this for.
you dear, noble GIRL" she whispered.
her eyes shining through repressed
tears. "Yes, and you shan't make
this sacrifice for nothing. Do you
think 1 could fail with you before
me? Pll do my best, for you've
made me forget my own foolishness
and the petty malice of the other
girls"
She did her best, and her best was
good indeed. Her poem was greeted
with applause. and Blanche heard
more than one person ask eager ques-
tiOns about that handsome girl who
repeated the valedictory poem so OK.
quisitely. Such a beautiful dress {:
actually classic, you know.
Blanche and Alga were close
friends through life. Some years af.
terward. when one day they were
talking about their schooI-life, Alga
said: eff 1t hadn't been for that kind
act of yours, Blanche, | don't know
what would have become of me. I
was so bitter at that wretched little
Edith and the others that | did not
care what became of me. To be sure
1t was foolish and wrong, but I could
not help it. When you restored my
faith in others, you restored me to
myself. I've never forgotten the les
son."
81 learned one too" Blanche said,
laughing. 81 found that the simpler
the dress, if it only fits we'll, the
more it is admired by gentlemen at
least; l don't answer for the ladies.
You are able now to wear what you
please, but 1 have never seen YOU
look half as we'll as in that coarse.
plain muslin"
81 keep it as an heirloom" AIga
said, with her old impetuosity.
"When l married l told my husband
the story, and when my children are
older, If 1 see them embittered
against any one. they shall hear how
silly their mother was and what a
wise good friend she was blessed
with. All, Blanche, was there anoth-
er girl in the world who would have
hnn,, tr,slltrr. 10